Why should Muslims have to apologise for the actions of people they have almost nothing in common with?

Question

Why every time there is some atrocity committed by a Muslim somewhere, Muslims in Western countries are expected to 'stand up' against it, even though they share nothing with the perpetrators except religion?

Why should this be the case when Christians are not expected to apologise for abortion clinic bombers and Hindus are not expected to apoligise for the LTTE?

Answer 1

Look... many of us know the truth about Islam and know that it generally promotes peace and harmony.
However, as in all other religions, there are many corrupt teachers who have led others to kill many people.

The main difference is that the Wahabist fundamentalists hold *majorities* in some countries. They are not a fringe group like Zionist Jews or Westboro Baptist Church. Their teachings have led to civil wars in several countries and hight body counts not seen in the Christian world.

If somebody calls themselves a Christian while they are living a sinful life or teaching false doctrine, the Bible directs me that I should call them out on it. The Qur'an teaches the same. Allowing someone to pervert Islam is allowing someone to commit blasphemy against Islam.

If you love Allah, stand up for justice in His name. It is your duty and not just when dealing with Christians or Jews.

Answer 2

During the 2nd world war, Germans, Italians, Japanese etc were sent to internment camps. Simply because of their race. I think the British have always tolerated all nationalities, and they were stunned at the extremist viewpoints that were exhibted. The tube bombings, the Danish cartoons, 9/11, the sho bomber, etc etc. And we were being told that many Muslims feel that way. So they live with us, amongst us, walk next to us int he supermarket, go to the same schools, etc etc.
The British are outraged at the atrocities, but even more so, when the atrocities are peptrated by Brits themselves.
So I don't think it is too much to ask for reassurance that most Muslims are moderate. It sends out a message not only to the non-Muslim population, but also to the Muslim population, that extremism is frightening for us all.

Answer 3

There is a difference between apologizing (which I agree you personally should not have to do) and pointing out that the actions of a few give bad names to the many. To my mind, the latter is not an apology. It is a reminder of a very sad fact of life.

News media carry advertising because nobody wants to pay for the news costs outright. Once advertising becomes an element of a news show, the best news is sensationalist news because of the higher number of viewers it brings. Which means the news mongers have to root out the most extreme news they can find to improve their ratings and justify their expense to the program's sponsors.

It is for the same reason that I don't apologize for citizens of the USA. Though sometimes I'll point out that the actions of some of our less civilized citizens do not accurately reflect the viewpoints of our general population. Neither sensationalist news nor overly-dramatized TV shows do anyone any favors when it comes to ratings, because from those ratings come more money. 'nuff said, I think.

Answer 4

Because todays there are some cultures that demand people to apologise for something that they don't even did.

Japan is kept being asked for apologies, German is told to grief continously, old conflicts are kept brought up despite most of their participants were dead, and so on.

And yes, even Christians and Hindus are expected to apologise.



As for share nothing except religion.

Well, they only claimed to be muslims.

The Qur'an ordered people like them to severely punished for saying things that goes beyond what God and His messengers said.

However before that happen, human rights organizations probably will protest to protect these transgressors and also request the rights of those following the Qur'an to be deprived.

Answer 5

muslims are not expected to apologize, what they are expected is to realize that there is a large percentage of muslims who do support these atrocities and decide what do they want islam to look like. by being silent they are condoning those very acts and shouldnt be surprised if their son or cousin or brother end up committing such acts as killing van gogh in holland, all the riots in denmark and now the latest, the bear affair.
or is it possible that deep inside they do agree with the ... righteous indignation of those demonstrators... but wouldnt go to the extremes of actually harming someone physically.

Answer 6

through fact it fairly is familiar that Muslims in right this moment's worldwide can do no incorrect no count what many many Muslims do. The west besides the undeniable fact that can spend billions on help to Muslim international locations, healthcare and loans and yet are nonetheless demonised. it fairly is a one way street the place Muslims make the regulations up as they pass alongside.

Answer 7

All Muslims have a duty to fight against injustice (such as Muslim suicide bombers) ,it is in Islamic teachings to help the oppressed such as people being terrorized by Muslims who don't follow the word of Allah,and who preach their own fundamentalist version of the Koran.

Answer 8

Excellent point and I agree with you whole heartedly.

I'm sorry that you feel put in this position but being aware that ignorant people are criticising islam for the actions of a small group, by comparison, of extremists it stands to reason that one might want to vocalize their disapproval of those actions instead of remaining silent and relying on the intelligence of others to figure out you are not 'one of them'. There are far too many ignorant people in the world who are unable or just stubbornly refuse to consider that the majority of islamic followers are kind, gentle people.

There are extremists in every religion damaging the reputation of their believers. It's a shame that so few can tarnish so many.

I wish we could all just live in peace.

Answer 9

Hey! if an atrocity is truly comitted every Muslim should stand up against it. Thats the mark of true Muslims everywhere.

Answer 10

Nobody should be expected to apologize for anything s/he didn't actually do. However, they shouldn't expect to get away with excuse-making, either:

"Well, that's not MY brand of fantasy, you can't hold my brand of fantasy responsible for what fools and fanatics do in its name."

Or:
"You gotta understand this is a cultural thing -- their culture teaches that if X happens then Y is the correct response, so you can't really blame them for doing what they've been taught to do."

Such arguments never had any moral basis and they simply won't wash now.